Telephone Consultation Service

UPDATED 13 February 2017.

My Telephone Advice Service offers information and advice on secondary school admissions and appeals, primary school admissions and appeals, In Year admissions, including advice to expatriates. This service also covers some other issues contained in this website, where I feel able to assist. The service is explained in more detail below.

If you are thinking of relocating to Kent or Medway, please feel free to enquire about the service to see if I can assist.

In all cases, please first complete the contact me form, with details relevant to your enquiry to see if I can assist.

All communications are confidential, unless you authorise me otherwise.

Secondary School Admissions

Secondary School Admission forms need to be submitted by the beginning of November. I have included considerable information and advice on the Secondary Admissions pages, but this is unable to consider individual circumstances and particular schools. I can provide clear objective advice in some detail on issues such as: the consequences of 11 plus tests in Kent and Medway, including the likelihood of a successful appeal and what action you need to take in advance; for both grammar schools and non selective schools I can advise on the likelihood of being offered a place; consideration of other schools you may not have considered; your personal circumstances relating to school admissions; special needs issues; your family wishes, your location and any other factors you consider should be taken into account.

Kent used to offer free independent advice through a Choice Adviser who could provide valuable advice in general terms, but this service has been withdrawn since 2012 entry, because the government grant to offer this was cut. The KCC Admissions department is usually very helpful, although they are limited in the advice they are allowed give you. Medway Council will also respond to telephone calls and emails.

Secondary School Appeals

I am only offering support for Secondary School appeals through this service now that I have retired from offering my full, personal, appeals service. What I can offer is a telephone advisory consultation before you begin the process, cost as explained below.

Primary School Admissions

This service normally most active over the winter months, up until the closing date in January.

I have included considerable information and advice on the Primary Admission page, but this is unable to consider individual circumstances and particular schools. Through the telephone consultation service I can advise in some detail on issues such as: the likelihood of being offered a place; consideration of other schools you may not have considered; your personal circumstances relating to school admissions; and any other factors you wish to take into consideration. I also have some unpublished data on each school.

Primary School Appeals

As you will see from the Primary Appeal page, these can be very problematic. Many parents wish to talk issues through with me to see if an appeal is worthwhile and I am able to assess and advise on whether there are arguments that may convince an Appeal Panel. I am happy to discuss such matters from decision day towards the end of April. For infant class appeals, please supply me with any reason you are aware of that could overcome Infant Class Legislation if this applies (see Primary page). Please supply all relevant information on schools applied for and decisions.

Other issues

Please fill in the contact meform, giving as much information as possible and I will let you know if I am able to help, together with a brief comment on your situation if possible.

Many parents have taken advantage of the presentations I have given to primary and secondary schools in Kent and Medway where I have provided advice to parents based on their local situation both as a group and individually. This service provides similar opportunities in other parts of the county.

Fees and Process

My fee is £55 for a half hour telephone consultation; £100 for an hour consultation. After I receive details of your case, I will then email back which of the options I recommend as most suitable (for most cases it is the half hour option). However, if I consider your issue is a straightforward one, I will respond free of charge by email, as soon as possible. Please make payment by credit card or Paypal using the online facility below.

To repeat: before making payment please complete the contact me form and wait until I confirm I am able to assist before making payment.

Telephone Consultation

If you have any queries on this process don't hesitate to contact me regarding these.